McElroy favourite for Mullingar test

Dermot McElroy driving on the 11th tee during the first round of the 2013 Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin. Picture by Pat CashmanHeadfort’s Brian Casey won’t be defending his title but a host of top players will still be chasing their place in the history books in this weekend’s Mullingar Scratch Cup.

Cavan’s Eddie McCormack is also out with an injury but there’s no shortage of quality players keen to join some of the greats on the roll of honour, including Mullingar stalwart Des Morgan and recently crowned Irish Amateur Open champion Robbie Cannon.

Bookies Paddy Power have installed Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy, who missed out on a place in the Irish Amateur Open playoff by just one shot, as the 6/1 favourite ahead.

Morgan, who is returning to action after time out recovery from surgery, is the next best with the oddsmakers at 8/1 to end a 50-year wait for a home winner with 2011 champion Nicky Grant a 10/1 chance ahead of Castlerock’s Aaron Kearney.

Sponsored by Barber Pole Putters and Copper Face Jacks, the top 45 after the first two rounds will tee it up in the final 36 holes on Sunday.

Morgan poised to end 50-year Mullingar drought

Dessie Morgan in full flowDessie Morgan can become the first home winner in the 50-year history of the Mullingar Grant Thornton Scratch Trophy after a sensational second round 67 gave him a share of the lead ahead of today’s 36-hole finale.

Cannon trains sights on Mullingar

Brian Casey will defend the Mullingar Scratch Cup next weekend. Picture - Pat CashmanIrish Amateur Open winner Robbie Cannon has set his sights on another big strokeplay win in next month’s East of Ireland at Baltray.

Morgan set for Mullingar miracle: "You can either get back to life and live it or watch life and let it pass you by"

Des Morgan has a special outlook on life because of his heart condition. Des Morgan is determined to “live life” and chase his Mullingar Scratch Cup dream just 10 weeks after a four-hour operation to have a faulty heart defibrillator replaced.

Morgan dream alive at Mullingar

Dessie Morgan hits his tee shot at the fifh on the first day of the Mullingar Scratch Cup. Picture: Thos Caffrey www.golffile.ie…Des Morgan kept his dream of a first home win in the Mullingar Scratch Trophy alive when he added a 70 to his superb five under 67 to take a two stroke lead over Castle’s Daniel Holland into today’s 36-hole finale.

Holland the clear winner in Mullingar

Daniel Holland (Castle) holes out on the final green to win the Mullingar Scratch Trophy. Picture by Pat CashmanCastle’s Daniel Holland broke the hearts of the huge home gallery when he left Des Morgan in his wake and cruised to a three-shot win with a brilliant final round performance in the Mullingar Scratch Trophy.